Politicizing pandemic control will harm economic recovery

Ever since China optimized its pandemic prevention and control measures, many countries have welcomed Chinese tourists. Thai Deputy Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and other senior officials greeted the first arrival of Chinese tourists with flowers at the Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok.

China has been adjusting its pandemic prevention and control measures in accordance with the changing situation.

China has briefed relevant countries on its optimized measures and its current pandemic situation. However, some countries have stubbornly imposed discriminatory restrictions against Chinese tourists in disregard of the actual pandemic situation, which amounts to politicizing of the pandemic.

Several international organizations and health experts have pointed out that no new variant or significant mutation of the virus has been found in China, and it is neither scientific nor necessary to tighten entry measures for Chinese travelers.

Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said UN member states should follow World Health Organization guidelines and that all decisions on passenger screening must be based on science.

Singapore's health minister said the number of confirmed cases from China in the last four weeks of 2022 accounted for less than 5 percent of Singapore's total imported cases, and there is no need to tighten quarantine measures against Chinese travelers.

Countries adopting discriminatory measures against China should listen to such voices instead of engaging in political manipulation and discriminatory practices.

China's pandemic prevention and control policies have not only protected its people's lives and health, but also minimized the impact of the pandemic on economic and social development. Against the backdrop of increasing downward pressure on the world economy, China's optimized pandemic prevention measures will facilitate international personnel exchanges and boost confidence in global economic growth. That is why many international organizations have expressed optimism at China's economic prospects and believe China's refined pandemic protocol will help support world economic recovery and development.

It is hoped that relevant countries change their discriminatory approach against Chinese citizens to create favorable conditions for normal personnel exchanges and cooperation.